From Insight to Impact

"Twenty-three centuries ago, Aristotle wrote that “the fate of empires rests on the education of youth.”

In the modern world, more than ever before, education determines the fate of individuals and societies."
— Fenton Whelan

How Good Policies Produce Better Schools

This hub serves as a vital resource for global educators, administrators, and policymakers. Our purpose is to clearly articulate the core problems in education reform and present seven actionable, evidence-based principles.

Based on the book "Lessons Learned" by Fenton Whelan, we explore reforms across more than 40 countries, arguing that massive improvements are achievable through focused, brave changes.

The Seven Core Principles

    The Source Material

    In Lessons Learned, Fenton Whelan delivers a concise blueprint for large-scale educational reform. Drawing on a global analysis of over 25 school systems—including the world's top performers—Whelan proves that massive improvement is not only possible but that the solutions are already known.

    From the grasslands of Africa to the streets of New York, Fenton synthesizes insights from more than 40 countries. By benchmarking high-achieving systems and interviewing over 100 experts, Whelan isolates the critical infrastructure that underpins success.

    The "What" (The Seven Lessons)

    Success relies on a small number of policies, primarily: recruiting the right teachers, developing effective leadership, setting high standards, and challenging inequity.

    The "How" (The Science of Delivery)

    The biggest obstacle isn't ignorance, but execution. Whelan champions a "Science of Delivery"—using data, prioritization, and structured routines to transform policy into real-world outcomes.

    Fenton Whelan argues that with the right policies and rigorous delivery, we can ensure every child receives the "one million minutes" of excellent schooling they deserve, preparing the next generation better than any before it.

    Audio Series

    The Podcast

    Dive deep into principles and research from Lessons Learned.

    Now Playing: Lessons Learned: Overview

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    Episodes

    Actionable Resources

    Deep dives and reports for education leaders driving change.

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